El Cheapo Package Scopes - Do they ever hold zero?
 

A buddy dropped off an el cheapo Bushnell 3-9x40 that came off a Savage package rifle. He was gonna give it to a young guy, and wanted me to put it on the young fellas rifle. I said nope. Not gonna do it. Told him they are only good to put on a 22. I saw it the other day and began wondering if those things ever actually hold zero on a rifle like a 270 or 30-06.

Any of you guys ever use them for a while and find they actually held zero?

i had a cheap Remington scope on a .280 once and suprisingly, i actually held up fine

My friend has been using one on a 270 and it hold zero fine for hunting season. Not season to season though. Low light use sucks too.

I wouldn't trust one of those super cheap scopes on a big game rifle. Some hold zero, some don't , the odds of a failure are too high for me to risk the outcome of a hunt on one.

I have one of those on a 22-250 and it works good.

I went to sight in a friends savage axis package junk deal 30-06. When I took the second shot the cross hairs looked like something you might see in a urinal.

243 Axis
 

243 Axis package, 14 shots and the internal lens turned sideways on me?

Junk, why would they make such a piece of Crap and then put the Bushnell name on it???

This is why I wouldn't put it on someone's rifle.

many think a scope is a handle to carry the gun by, and many toss their guns around like a wallmart plastic squirt gun, and then blame the cheap scope. Often they do the same with expensive scopes too and co on here to rave about the great service and warranty they received.
The interesting thing is how many expensive scopes are for sale.

I have no issues with my package scope on my axis .223 and my friends 111 in .270.

Daughters 243 axis package holding up excellent. It gets shot a lot too because everyone likes shooting it!

Never had these sights go out of adjustment - ever!:D:scared0018:
Cat
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v1...Ruger303-2.jpg
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Dang it Cat, most guys on here don't know what express sights are!

:argue2:

That's just sad, they are lots of fun, and classy- if not a bit archaic.:)
Cat

seriously classy rig, Cat. I've made a vow that my ruger 10/22 international shall never ever wear a scope.

Classy for sure, and they have all killed critters too!
The first one is my Ruger in .303 brit, the second one is my O/U FAIR in 6.5X55, and the third is a gorgeous Mannlicher Schoenauer in 8X56Mannlicher.
Enough derail though, I never did have much faaith in "package deals", I have seen lots of issues with both rifles and scopes in them, but to be fair I have also seen solid deals.
Cat

The amount of QC that a person can expect on those package rifle scopes would probably mean a failure rate of 1 in 50 to 1 in 100 units.
Did you just get scope number 49, or 99?, Or 50, or 100?

I like the odds of a failure rate of 1 in 500, a whole lot better!

I guess it depends on what you want to risk. I once had a bushnell banner el cheapo and lost an opportunity on a elk because of it. I needed to be sure it was legal, forgot binocs in camp. When I turned up the power it would go black on me. I was sure the elk was legal but had to pass it up. After that it was pretty much leupolds and worth every penny.

Simmoms
 

While it is not a package scope. My father bought me a Simmons scope for about 100 dollars twenty years ago that just gave it up this weekend. I never had to adjust the scope much from year to year and was always a very reliable scope. This year the magnification dial just didn't want to turn and I happen to have a new scope waiting.

In my experience cheap scopes, hold their accuracy, just not for nearly as long. Many would tell you to be prepared to spend as much on you scope as you did on your rifle!

Got a question.....i just recently purchased a sako a7 with a burris e1 on it. Seems like it would be quite a bit better quality than say the thing that comes on savage axis (obviously not a great scope either way), but im just wondering if anyone has kept those on the rifle and how they have held up. I already put a vx3 on the sako, but thinking of switching out a beat up scope i have on another .300winmag with the burris. Thanks

Bought my son a Savage Axis .243 a few years ago. I think it was a Burris scope on it. So far, so good, but haven't been putting huge long range pressure on it.

I bought the sako a7 package in .308 win when it first came out. I really hated the reticle but the scope has some great quality glass for the price. I used it for two years, took about 5 deers and a bunch of coyotes and had zero issues with it. Also took a muley buck at a little over 400 yds, it was a fluke lol but all good shots are i guess.

I ultimately replaced it with a VX-R 4-12X40mm. The burris now sits on my ruger 10/22, the reticle seems to be perfect for gopher and other varmint for a .22lr.

I believe the new Savages, and a few other brands come with Weaver scopes now. They are not the best, but certainly better than those "Bushnell" scopes that they used to come with. There have been problems with the Burris scopes used by Sako/Tikka. Not the scope actually, the rings. They were being installed wrong and crushing the internal components making it impossible to adjust magnification after a couple of uses. I am actually a big fan of these new, introductory rifles that many lines are coming out with (never would of bought a 300 Blackout if they weren't around). But I wouldn't buy the package. You would be much further ahead buying a Nikon prostaff or similar for 200 and have something that will so what you want when you want.

I think it's fairly clear that my original assertion was correct. They belong on a 22 at best.

When you consider the cost of licenses, fuel, ammunition, and other hunting expenses, I won't risk the outcome of a hunt on a sub standard scope.

I have a Leupold scope made in 1976. All adjustments still work flawlessly. Definitely worth buying quality IMO.

I have a 4X scope with "Marlin" on it missing the reticule if anybody wants a really cheap scope.

Precisely!
What's your time worth? Rifle season is only 4-8 weeks in most of the province.
Do you use vacation time to get out? You may invest considerable effort, money and hours being very cold waiting for a THE shot - make it count!

I leave nothing to chance anymore, range finder, handloads, ballistic turret and practice to ensure the shot only comes down to the wind and my abilities.

A cheap scope may work, but it's not worth the risk.

I have a brand new Bushnell 3-9x40. Mint. Not a scratch. $100!